Monty Python's Spamalot
at Robinson Secondary School

Reviewed on May 4, 2018

Olivia Parker
Teens and Theatre Company
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Holy quests, flatulent Frenchmen, daring (and not so daring) deeds, and a 50% chance of pestilence alchemized for a delightful evening at Robinson High School's hilarious production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

"Lovingly ripped off from" Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail, 14-time Tony nominee Spamalot takes the best of the iconic lines, adds a non-stop onslaught of production numbers and exciting twists, while maintaining the zany spirit of the original classic.

A massive show with an enormous cast and even bigger laughs, the production was propelled by astonishing commitment from every one of the 100+ people working on and off stage.

With a regal attitude, appropriately silly walk, and voice smooth enough to convince anyone to join his quest, Daniel William's performance as King Arthur was delightfully droll. His loyal attendant/pack mule/chief coconut clapper Patsy (Nico Ochoa) was one of the most memorable characters of the night with excellent physical humor, exaggerated everything, and a great voice in "Always look on the bright side of life." Master and servant's chemistry peaked in the paradoxical, "I'm all alone."

At his side were his good-intentioned knights; Sir Lancelot the Brave (Matthew Ross), who's shining moment involves fishnets and a disco number, Sir Robin the not-quite as brave (RJ Pratt), who finds his passion for musical theatre, Sir Galahad (David Ingle), a crotchety political radical who receives a magical makeover, and Sir Bedevere (Hasan Crawford), who bemoans his lack of stage time. While the knights' solo adventures had the audience rolling in the aisles, they were at their best when bantering at a rapid-fire pace.

Jordan James, Anna Maria Shockey, and Claire Burton shone as the Ladies of the Lake. Each a diva, they belted, riffed, and crooned the plot along--until disappearing for most of act two, reappearing in dressing gowns for the hilarious "Diva's Lament."

A tremendous part of the source material's success, the bit roles stole the show. From the iconic Black Night (Jimmy Grimes) who claims, "'Tis only a flesh wound," to the eccentric enchanter Tim (Ivy Mitchell) who warns of a fearsome carnivorous rabbit. The formidable Knights Who Say "Ni" towered into the air, though anyone does when sitting on someone else's shoulders. In a charming surprise, they were accompanied by the adorable "Wee" Knights Who Say "Ni". Other highlights included Elizabeth Mpanu. Mpanu's performance as a cockney accented God, the French Taunters (Lily Brintzinghoffer and Maddy Ross), believer in true love Prince Herbert (Steven Eckloff), and mystifyingly energetic Not Dead Fred (Corinne Baum).

Adding even more energy that multiplied with every number, the ensemble masterfully performed everything from Singing the Rain styled tap numbers to pep rallies to the most aggressive can-can in history. The amount of passion rolling off the stage when everyone was present was overwhelming.

Tap and flag choreography by student choreographers Maria Gleason and Isabelle Guzzano was consistently sharp. Jillian Sturim's versatile and polished set lent itself to a variety of locales, including a "very expensive forest." Colorful and fun lighting by Jason Eisen made every number a party, while being subtle during the rare emotional moment.

With a script sharper than Excalibur and infectious energy that continually escalates, Robinson High School's Spamalot will have you saying, "Huzzah!"

Samuel Intrater
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Irreverent, extravagant, and... flatulent, Robinson Secondary School's production of Monty Python's Spamalot was a joyride from start to finish.

Monty Python's Spamalot is, in the words of the show itself, a musical "lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail", the 1975 British comedy that mercilessly lampoons the fables of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail. Spamalot opened on Broadway in 2005 with music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle (founding member of Monty Python) with stars Tim Curry and Sara Ramirez. The show was a commercial and critical triumph, scoring a whopping 14 Tony nominations and 3 wins in the categories of Best Direction, Best Featured Actress (Sara Ramirez), and Best Musical.

Spamalot is chock full of giant, ridiculous production numbers that require strong presentation, and Robinson Secondary was more than up to the challenge. Lighting effects were used very successfully to tune the comic timing of the piece, and the special effects were delightfully cheesy. Costumes, particularly for the three Ladies of the Lake, were gorgeous, colorful, and effective. Choreography was brilliantly executed and made the production feel much larger than your typical high school production. Most exceptional numbers where everything came together just right include "Knights of the Round Table", "Find Your Grail", "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", as well as several others.

Across the board, every member of the cast was charming and memorable. Daniel Williams (King Arthur) led the show and his Knights of the Round Table with a commanding presence and hilarious deadpan delivery. Nico Ochoa's performance as the Arthur's lowly sidekick Patsy was an absolute triumph. Even with fewer lines than his fellow characters, particularly in the first act, Ochoa showcased staggering dance moves, well-trained vocals, and unwavering comic energy in his face and physicality. Together, the king and assistant conveyed a confusing but undeniably endearing chemistry.

Although the original show is written to only include one Lady of the Lake, Robinson Secondary decided to transform the solo role into a trio. Griselda (Jordan James), Guinevere (Anna Maria Shockley), and Godiva (Claire Burton) all were dominating performers with powerhouse vocals. Every single one of the Knights of the Round Table were hilarious and shone in their respective moments.
Even the tiniest walk-on roles, such as the French taunters (Lily Brintzinghoffer, Maddy Ross), Tim the Enchanter (Ivy Mitchell), Not Dead Fred (Corinne Baum), and God Herself (Elizabeth Mpanu Mpanu) left a lasting impression with their remarkable commitment and embodiment of their wacky characters. Furthermore, everyone in the ensemble appeared to be committed and enjoying themselves, helping ensure that the energy levels of the cast matched the energy of the show itself.

If a show is only as strong as its weakest link, Spamalot was flawless, as no performer or moment stood out as underwhelming. Robinson Secondary School went above and beyond in taking on the challenge of this deliciously inappropriate farce of a musical.

Elizabeth Henley
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Coconuts may not be native to England, but every member of Robinson Secondary School's Spamalot is certainly no stranger to irreverent comedy. In their production of the hilarious musical, Robinson Secondary convinced audiences that the only thing limiting audiences from happiness is imagination.

"Spamalot," based on the iconic 1975 movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," follows the newly-appointed King Arthur as he gathers the finest knights in all of England and as they begin their quest to find the biblical Holy Grail. The coconut-clacking, dreidel-spinning spectacle opened on Broadway in 2005 and was nominated for 14 Tonys, winning three, including best musical.

Spamalot is particularly challenging due to its high standards for irreverent comedy, but Robinson Secondary School's production shines despite the difficult material. The Knights of the Round Table (Matthew Ross, RJ Pratt, Hasan Crawford, and David Ingle) and King Arthur (Daniel Williams) carry the bulk of the comedic material, and each one executed his marks with impeccable timing and perfect energy. Sirs Lancelot and Robin were particularly funny in their flashy dance numbers "His Name is Lancelot" and "You Won't Succeed on Broadway."

Supporting the Knights and King Arthur, the Ladies of the Lake shone with their stunning vocal ability and distinctly sassy characterization. Featured players, like Prince Herbert (Steven Eckloff) and Not Dead Fred (Corinne Baum), though they had less stage time, were equally hilarious as the main cast.

While all the main cast was wonderful, special attention must be paid to Patsy (Nico Ochoa), who transformed the bumbling yet loyal servant into a hilarious dancing foil for the Knights' and Arthur's antics. Ochoa stunned the audience with toe touches and gorgeous vocals and perfect comic timing to boot.

With crisp sound engineering, spectacular lighting effects, and advanced, intricate, and stunning choreography, particularly in "Knights of the Round Table" and "Laker Girls Cheer," the crew behind Robinson Secondary School's Spamalot created a beautiful and perhaps not historically accurate landscape for the main cast's misadventures.

Nick Tortora
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

The holy grail of high school theatre has been found at Robinson Secondary School: it's their production of Monty Python's Spamalot! In fact, with its ability to transcend the bounds of reality with ease, the Rambunctious Theatre should have been the first place we looked.

Monty Python's Spamalot opened on Broadway in 2005, with a book and score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. Based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the famous comedy depicts the trials and tribulations of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they struggle through many lands to find the Holy Grail. In the process, of course, they find not only the grail, but themselves and their brides as well.

Daniel Williams as King Arthur controlled the stage with his silky smooth voice, and used his powerful stage presence and character movement to assert himself as king over the surrounding characters. His servant, Patsy (Nico Ochoa), consistently stole the show, exuding high energy and using his clear voice and crisp dancing to remind everyone to "always look on the bright side of life." As a unit, Williams and Ochoa expertly created hilarious stage chemistry between them that left the audience in stitches.

The Lady of the Lake was unconventionally played by three separate women: Jordan James (Lady of the Lake Griselda), Anna Maria Shockey (Lady of the Lake Guinevere), and Claire Burton (Lady of the Lake Godiva). Despite this risk, each actress impeccably crafted a separate character that still fit under one overarching entity, executing this concept so perfectly that it was actually hard to imagine just one person playing the Lady of the Lake. As a trio, their voices blended together beautifully, mesmerizing both the knights and the audience and staying true to the allure of the character.

Every time the ensemble graced the stage, they were energized, excited, and engaged, with every single ensemble member involved and mentally present. In big, showstopper numbers, such as "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and "Knights of the Round Table," every cubic inch of space was bursting at the seams with spirit, the audience blown back by the sheer power from the stage careening through the auditorium. Additionally, the entire cast knew how to milk every last drop of comedy out of moments without letting the hilarity become too excessive; this kept the time the audience spent rolling in laughter to maximum potential.

Zany, eccentric sets, including a projection in the background of additional illustrations rooted in absurdism, magnificently framed the fantastical nature of the show. The costumes further developed specific characters, allowing what each actor developed on the interior to be expressed equally on the exterior. Props served as an extra special touch on the bizarre settings, especially the addition of a killer bunny, complete with a cute wave and a bloody muzzle of jagged teeth.

Perfectly timed and breathtaking lighting punctuated dramatic moments, while still showing balance and reserve at points as to not overdo less inherently flashy scenes. The musicians of the Robinson Pit Orchestra took on their own characters, invested in the story not only through their beautiful, balanced music, but also in their vigor and pep, accentuating the comedy of the show and emphasizing exciting moments.

After an uproarious night of uncontrollable laughter and electric energy, it became clear that you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have the enormously talented cast and crew of Robinson Secondary School's production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

Danielle Burman
Northwood High School Academy
Submitted for publication to Connection

When one thinks of the classic tale of King Arthur and his fearsome knights they may think of a dominant and influential army, but all rules can be altered in Camelot. Robinson Secondary School's near-Broadway caliber production of Monty Python's Spamalot takes us to a world of tap dancing townspeople, mermaid-like Ladies of the Lake, and a killer team of not-so knightley knights.

The 14 time Tony nominated musical, Monty Python's Spamalot is a high energy musical comedy that features a book, music and lyrics by Eric Idle, as well as music by John Du Prez. Based upon the hit 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is an amusing parody of the Arthurian Legend. The story follows the notorious King Arthur and his loyal attendant Patsy on their mighty quest to find the coveted Holy Grail. It's all smooth sailing until hilarious obstacles jump into their path like a taunting team of French guards, abnormally tall Knights Who Say "Ni", and even a deep desire to take part in an extravagant Broadway musical.

After seeing Robinson's Cappie Award winning performance of Pippin last year I had high expectations going into Spamalot and the players at Robinson Secondary School greatly exceeded them. From the astounding liveliness from every member of the forty-four ensemble, to the ability to milk the comedic moments while maintaining the fight for the Holy Grail, the company of Spamalot created a wildly impressive production.

Leading the knights was Daniel Williams as King Arthur. Williams' smooth speaking voice and mature sovereign quality was not overlooked. With deadpan humor when speaking to the loyal Patsy (Nico Ochoa), and trotting gallups with coconuts rhythms in the background, Williams' portrayal was comically brilliant. Also, Nico Ochoa as Patsy was uproarious. With over-the-top facial expressions, eye catching dance skills, and clear vocals Ochoa proved to be a top performer.

What is better than one Lady of the Lake? Three of them! Robinson took the risk of splitting a singular role into three, but it worked exceptionally well for this rendition. The Ladies of the Lake (Jordan James, Anna Maria Shockey, and Claire Burton) all had their moment to shine in their song, "The Song That Goes Like This," and each captured the mystical aura of her character. Additionally, the camaraderie and added pop culture references by the knights of the round table (Matthew Ross, RJ Pratt, Hasan Crawford, and David Ingle), aided in the creation of an ensemble driven show.

The technical aspects were top notch. The cartoonish set and the credit reel during the remarkable orchestra's overture created a movie-like sentiment. Additionally, in "Come With Me," the beautiful duochrome blue wings perfectly enhanced the dynamic choreography by Maria Gleason and Isabelle Guzzano, along with the sparkling lighting design by Jason Eisen.

Whether one has watched the movie repetitively or if this was your first experience with the tale, Robinson Secondary School's production of Spamalot went above and beyond. With audience members wistfully singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Spamalot at Robinson Secondary School demonstrates that positivity and loyal friendship can defeat any foe.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

When the black plague abounds and your life expectancy is only forty, the only thing to do is bring out your dead, grab your coconuts, put on your tap shoes, and head out on an adventure! With iconic Monty Python humor perfectly translated onto the stage by a talented cast and crew, Robinson Secondary School's rendition of "Spamalot" brought the very silly world of Camelot to life with incredible energy and never-ending hilarity.

"Spamalot" was adapted from the laugh-out-loud 1975 film "Monty Python and The Holy Grail," an irreverent interpretation of the legend of King Arthur and his knights. With a clever book by Eric Idle, the show plays with and humorously subverts the tropes of a typical Broadway musical, constantly shattering the fourth wall. The audience accompanies the Knights of the Round Table on their quest, bestowed on them by God herself, to find the Holy Grail. Along the way, the knights face down lewd Frenchmen, haughty Broadway divas, and even (gasp!) killer bunny rabbits all to find the grail and discover their own true selves.

With his magnetic charisma and deadpan delivery, Daniel Williams' King Arthur led the cast of "Spamalot" through their triumphs and turmoil and brilliantly drew inspiration from Graham Chapman's film portrayal of the character, nailing Chapman's signature gait. Williams excelled in collaboration with sidekick Patsy, played by the talented Nico Ochoa, and both shone in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," a charming tap number that showcased Ochoa's impressive dance skills and vocal chops. Even when not speaking, Ochoa's Patsy was consistently hilarious through his silent but animated characterizations.

Each member of the cast added to the whimsical and flamboyant nature of Arthur's England with abounding energy. From the loquacious peasant-turned-knight Sir Galahad (David Ingle) to the cowardly but music-loving Sir Robin (RJ Pratt), each of the knights had a distinct personality that melded into the thoroughly cohesive unit of characters. Sir Lancelot the Brave (Matthew Ross) had the audience in stitches when he came to terms with his sexuality in the highly enjoyable "My Name is Lancelot."

Although the Lady of the Lake is usually played by one actress, Jordan James, Anna Maria Shockey, and Claire Burton (as Ladies Griselda, Guinevere, and Godiva, respectively) excelled as an ensemble of divas, jealously competing with one other for the attention of the audience. Claire Burton particularly shone vocally in her duet with Galahad, "The Song That Goes Like This." Overall, the cast of "Spamalot" had energy to spare, executing complex dance routines like "Knights of the Round Table" with presence and dynamic facials.

Technical elements reinforced the professional quality of the musical comedy. Intricate student lighting design added a new dimension of color and movement to the involved choreography, implementing smooth spotlights and strobe lights to create the desired effects. Elaborate projections, designed to match changes in scene and music, were flawlessly created to augment the feeling that the audience was watching a movie; an ingenious scroll of opening credits had the audience chuckling even before an actor had spoken a line.

Robinson Secondary School's vibrant production of Monty Python's "Spamalot" was definitely made to succeed on Broadway. With a whole lot of laughter and a little bit of love, King Arthur and his knights remind us all to step away from our serious sides and look on the brighter side of life.